Thread-winding machine.



No. 638,360. Patented Dec. 5, I899.

J. F. SCHENCK. THREAD WIQiDI NG MACHINE.

' (Applicaticn filedApr. 19, 1898.) (No'llodeL) 5 Sheets$heot l.

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Patented Dec. 5, 1899. J F SCHENCK THREAD WINDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 19, 1898.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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(No Model.) (Application filed Apr. 19, 1898.)

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I Inventor W Jofinflflaiemi Wag/ 521 THE usnms'msns co. PHOYQLITHO wnsnmonm u u N d i No. 638,360. Patented Dec. 5, I899.

J. F. SCHENCK. THREAD WINDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 19, 1898.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets- Sheel 4.

No. 638,360. Patented Dec. 5, I899.

J. F. SCHENCK.

THREAD WINDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 19, 1898.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

M mhw rgm jizysvztor 70%2@Z752%e2e0/ 1n: uomus Perm cgqyummnm. wunmsrcn o c JOHN F. SCHENOK, OF LAWNDALE, NORTH CAROLINA.

THREAD-WINDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,360, dated December 5, 1899. Application filed April 19, 1898. Serial No. 678,156- (No model.)

To (tZZ whont it may cancer/t:

Be'it known that I, JOHN F. SCHENCK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lawndale, in the county of Cleveland and State of North Carolina, have invented new and useful Improvements in Thread- Winding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class or type of machines which serve to form balls or cops by repeatedly recrossing cord or thread in spiral lines from about a cop-tube-that is to say, by winding the cord or thread in recrossing spirals running alternately in opposite directions upon and from end to end of a coptube secured to I a rotary spindle, in front of which a thread-carrier is made to travel back and forth.

The chief object of my invention is to im prove and simplify cord or thread winding machines of the character referred to and to enable them to be more economically man ufactured and operated with-less trouble.

The invention also has for its object to provide a thread-winding machine with new and improved means for regulating the laying of the cord or thread simultaneously about a plurality of spindles and to avoid the independent or separate regulation of the laying of the cord or thread at and about each spindle.

The invention also has for its object to provide novel means for varyingthe speed of the thread-carrier and automatically regulating the distance between the spirals of thread during the winding operation.

The in vent-ion also has for its object to provide novel means for compelling the threadcarrier to travel back and forth in right lines during the winding operation and as the diameter of the ball or cop increases for the purpose of securing balls or cops having regular and uniform surfaces, which is not the case where the thread-carrier is susceptible of followingirregularities that may exist in the surface of the ball or cop being wound or where the thread-carrier can move during the winding operation toward the axis of the spindle if a depression were to exist in the ball or cop being wound.

The invention also has for its object to provide a thread-winding machine with means for gradually starting each winding-spindle and subsequently positively maintaining the required speed, whereby the breakage of thread is effectually avoided if a spindle is started to rotate when the winding of the ball or cop is nearing completion or when the diameter of the ball or cop is such that the surface speed is swift and liable to break the thread by a sudden pull.

The invention also has for its object to provide new and improved means for positively driving the spindles on which the cop-tubes are placed.

The invention also has for its object to provide novel means for automatically stopping each spindle when the ball or cop reaches the desired diameter or is of the required size.

The invention also has for its object to pro vide a thread-winding machine with a threadcarrier which is susceptible of such adjustment that either cylindrical or conoidalshaped balls or cops may be wound by the one winding mechanism.

The invention also has for its object to provide a new and improved cord or thread winding machine wherein a plurality of spindles arranged substantially in alinement are positively driven by gear connections with a continuous shaft running parallel with the spindles and driven from one end of the machine, in contradistinction to driving the spindles by belting and a number of pulleys, which is objectionable in that the belting soon stretches and slips, rendering it necessary to frequently tighten the same, the spindles are not driven with that certainty which is essential for perfect work where traveling threadcarriers are positively reciprocated to lay the cord or thread in recrossing spirals about the spindles, and the belting, pulleys, and spindles rapidly wear, due to the high tension under which the belting must be held to secure the required speed of the spindles and to insure their rotary motion.

To accomplish all these objects, my inven tion involves the features of construction, the combinations or arrangement of parts, and

the principles of operation herein described.

and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a broken front elevation showing the end portion .of the machine where power is applied to operate the cam-shaft and angles to the plane of section, Fig. 7.

the winding-spindles. Fig. 2 is a broken sectional elevation looking at the rear of that end of the machine from which the cam-shaft and the spindles are driven. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail broken sectional view taken on the line 4 4, Fig. 1, looking toward the fast and loose pulleys on the main driving-shaft. Fig. 5is a detail View showing interchangeable worm-gears by which the speed of the cam-shaft may be varied to regulate the lay of the thread to suit the conditions required where fine or coarse cord or thread is to bewound. Fig. 6is a detail top plan View of a portion of the winding mechanism to more clearly show one of the spindles, the friction and positive clutches, and the clutchlever and its attachments. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional elevation of one of the spindles, showing portions of the friction and positive clutches for starting and stopping the same. Fig. 8 is a detail plan view showing the threadcarrier and the oscillatory frame on which it is mounted and indicating by dotted lines the adjustment of the thread-carrier for winding a colloidal-shaped ball or cop. Fig. 9 isadetail sectional viewthrough the spindle starting and stopping clutches in a planeat right Fig. 10 is a detail plan View showing a thread-carrier adjusted to travel parallel with the axis of a winding-spindle to wind a cylindrical ball or cop, and Fig. 11 is a similar view showing a thread-carrier adjusted to travel at an angle to the axis of a winding-spindle for winding a colloidal-shaped ball or cop.

In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now describe the same in detail, referring to the drawings, wherein the numeral 1 indicates a main frame, which may be of any construction suitable for the purpose of supporting the operative parts of the machine. The main frame is preferably composed of side sills rigidly connected by transverse beams 2, Fig. 3-, provided at their centers with bearings 3, in which is mounted a continuous longitudinal shaft 4, provided at proper points with cams 5, which serve, as usual, to reciprocate or move the thread-carriers 6 back and forth. The main frame is also provided at regular intervals with pillars 7, having suitable bearings, in which is journaled a continuous longitudinal driving-shaft 8, running parallel with the cam-shaft 4 and serving, as will hereinafter appear, to impart rotary motion to the cam-shaft and to the spindles 9, which are best to operate ten spindles and ten thread-car riers. The spindles are each provided with a loosely-mountedpinion 10, rigid with a friction-clutch disk 12', having a V-shaped or other suitably-shaped groove in its periphery. The pinions 10 are driven by spur-gears 13, secured at proper points to the driving-shaft 8, and during the time the latter is rapidly rotated the pinions and the grooved frictionclutch disks are constantly rotated at a high speed. The rotary motion of each pinion 10 and disk 12 is transmitted to a spindle 9 through the medium of two clutches, one of which is a positive clutch and the other a frictionclutch composed in part of the frictionclutch disk 12.

I will now describe in detail the two clutches, first premising by the statement that the frie tion-clutch is designed to gradually start the spindle, while the positive clutch is for the purpose of positively rotating the spindle and maintaining it at the required high speed. The spindle is provided at one end with a sleeve 14, susceptible of sliding longitudi-- nally thereupon. The sleeve lies between a screw-nut 15 on one end of the spindle and the grooved friction-clutch disk 12, as best seen in Figs. 6, 7, and 9. The sleeve is provided with a conoidal or tapered portion 16 to act upon the extremities 17 of bent or curved arms 18, which are pivoted intermediate their extremities, as at 19, to radial arms 20, rigidly connected with the spindle, as best seen in Fig. 9. The ends of the arms 18 opposite the extremities 17 are pivoted, as at 21, to clutch-shoes 22, having a cross-sectional form corresponding to the shape of the annular groove in the clutch-disk. If the groove in the disk is V-shaped, as shown, the clutchshoes should be V-shaped in crosssection. The extremities 17 of the arms 18 are preferably in the form of adjustable screws to facilitate the adjustment necessary to secure correct action of the friction-clutch. The radial arms 20 are rigidly connected with the spindle through the medium of a hub having an angular portion 23 to enter a similarlyshaped socket 24 in the inner end of the sleeve 16 when the latter is shifted toward the radial arms 20, which is effected through the medium of a clutch-lever 25, pivoted, as at 26, to a frame 27, forming part of one of the pillars 7. The screw extremities 17 enter longitudinal grooves 28, arranged diametrically opposite each other in the sleeve 16. The clutch-lever 25 suitably engages an angular groove 29 in one end of the sleeve 16, the constrnction being such that the sleeve can turn independent of the clutch-lever and is moved longitudinally in one or the other direction by swinging the latter. The sleeve is also constructed with two arms 30, extending from the socket part 24, and having lugs 31 to cooperate with lugs 32 on the clutch-disk 12 when the sleeve is moved a sufficient distance to place the lugs 31 in the path of the lugs 32. When the parts are in the position represented in Fig. 6, both clutches are out of action, and if now the clutch-lever is gradually moved to the left or toward the spindle 9 the sleeve 14 will be correspondingly moved and the conoidal part 16 thereof will gradually force the screw extremities 17 radially outward, thereby turning the arms 18 on their pivots 19 and causing the clutch-shoes 22 to gradually act upon the clutch-disk 12, and since the latter is constantly rotated, as will hereinafter appear, the clu tch-shoes will be turned, and consequently impart rotary motion to the spindle. The clutch-disk can slip in contact with the clutch-shoes, and since these parts constitute a friction-clutch it is possible to very gradually start the spindle, which is desirable, especially where the spindle is started when the winding of the ball or cop is nearing completion, and the diameter of the same is such that its surface speed would be comparatively swift and render the thread liable to be broken by the sudden pull thereupon. In other words, the take-up of the spindle when the cop-tube on the same is wound nearly full is ordinarily so rapid that if the spindle is at this time started it starts so swiftly that it will suddenly jerk the thread and perhaps break the same before the bobbin or swift carrying the thread to be wound into a ball or cop commences to turn. By the employment of the friction-clutch above described the spindle is slowly started, thereby starting the bobbin or swift before the positive clutch composed of the lugs 31 and 32 is thrown into action. The positive clutch is desirable for the purpose of positively rotating the spindle and maintaining it at the high speed desired in a cord or thread winding machine.

To maintain the positive clutch in action after the clutch parts or sections 31 and 32 are engaged by the movement of the clutchlever 25 the required extent to the left or toward the spindle 9 and to automatically release the clutch to stop the spindle when the ball or cop is fully wound or is of the desired diameter, I provide the devices which I will now explain. A horizontal rod 33, Fig. 6, is pivoted at one end to the clutch-lever 25 by a pivot-pin 34 and at the opposite end is provided with an adjustable screw 35, in proximity to which the rod is constructed with a shoulder 36, designed to engage the pointed extremity of a locking-dog 37, mounted on a part of the pillar-frame 27. The rod 33 is constantly pressed toward the locking-dog through the medium of a suitable spring 38, and a spring 39, preferably encircling a horizontal rod 40, pivoted to and projecting from a part of the frame 27, constantly tends to press the clutch-lever 25 to the right or in the direction which will throw the positive clutch out of action. Vfhen the clutch-leveris moved to the left the distance required to throw the positive clutch into action the shoulder 36 will snap into engagement with the pointed extremity of the locking-dog 37, and at this time the inner end of the adjustable screw 35 will lie in the path of the right-hand end portion of the upper section 41 of a thread-carrier frame 42 in such manner that when the ball or cop is completely wound or reaches the required diameter the upper section of the thread-carrier frame will press upon the ad- 3 ustable screw 35 and move the rod 33, so that its shoulder 36 is freed from engagement with the locking-dog 37, whereupon the spring 39 instantly moves the clutch-lever 25 to the right and automatically throws the positive and friction clutches out of action, so that the rotation of the spindle is stopped.

The adjustment of the screw 35 in one end of the rod 33 determines the size of the ball or cop, in that the winding of the thread is stopped when the ball or cop reaches the desired diameter, and the carrier-frame acts against the set-screw to disengage the rod 33 from the locking-dog 37 to permit the automatic unclutching of the clutches, so that the rotation of the spindle is stopped.

A friction and a positive clutch and a thread-carrier frame are arranged in operative connection with each winding-spindle, and as all are alike a description of one is sufficient for the series.

Any desired number of spindles may be employed and, as here shown, all are driven through the medium of one continuous driving-shaft. As herein illustrated, the spindles are mounted in alinement, but as regards certain parts of my invention I do not confine myself to this specific arrangement of the spindles.

The lower section 42 of each thread-carrier is in the form of two disk or wheel shaped parts, suit-ably connected and mounted in or on bearings in such manner that they can oscillate, and their axis of oscillation is coincident with the axis of the cam-shaft 4. I prefer to provide the opposite sides of the lower section 42 of each carrier-frame with projecting sleeves 43, (best seen in Fig. 2,) which are adapted to turn upon sleeve-bearings 44, through which the cam-shaft 4 extends, so that the carrier-frame does not bear directly against the cam-shaft, and yet the axes of rotation of the cam-shaft and each carrier-frame are coincident. The disk or wheel shaped parts of the lower section 42 of each carrier-frame are provided with suspended weights 45, located in rear of the camshaft, which tend to turn the carrier-frame in the direction of the arrow thereupon in Fig. 3, thus constant-1y tending to force the thread-carrier 6 in a direction toward the ball or cop being wound. The upper section 41 of the carrier-frame is provided with a horizontal guide-bar 46 of any suitable shape in cross-section, preferably circular. This guide-rod serves to guide a traveler or sleeve 47, mounted thereupon, and to which the thread-carrier 6 is attached. The traveler or sleeve 47 is provided at its under side with a lug 48, loosely engaging a groove in the upper side of a slide-101001149, which is movable back IIO and forth on a guide-rod 50, forming a part of the lower section 42 of the thread-carrier frame. The slide-block 49 is provided at its under side with a pin 51, engaging a camgroove formed in the outer edge or periphery of the cam 5. The purpose of this construction is to make it practicable to angularly, adjust the upper section 41 of the thread-carrier frame relatively to the axis of the winding spindle, while securing the proper reciprocatory motion of l the thread-carrier through the medium of the cam 5. The angular adjustment of the upperseotion 41 of the threadcarrier frame, above referred to, is for the purpose of winding conoidal-shaped balls or cops. The angular adjustment may be effected through the medium of any suitable devices; but, as here shown, the section 41 is provided at its base with slotted segments 52, through which set-screws 53 pass into the section 42. By loosening the set-screws, the upper section of the thread-carrier frame can be set at the required angle relatively to the axis of the spindle, as will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 11 and to the dotted lines, Fig. 8. cops are desired, the upper section of the thread-carrier frame is adjusted to stand parallel with the axis of the spindle, as represented in Fig. 10, and as indicated by full lines in Figs. 6 and 8. Inasmuch as the guiderod 46 is carried by the upper section 41 of the thread-carrier frame, such guide-rod will be adjusted with the frame, as is essential to cause the thread-carrier to travel either parallel with or at an angle to the axis of the winding-spindle. Where a part of the threadcarrier frame on which the threadcarrier travels is made susceptible of being adjusted or set at an angle relatively to the axis of the winding-spindle, it is possible to wind on the one machine or with the one winding mechanism conoidal and cylindrical shaped balls ,or cops; but if cylindrical balls or cops only are desired it is not essential to make a part of the thread carrier frame adjustable, in which event the slide-block 49 and its guidebar 50 may be dispensed with and the pin on the lower side of the sleeve 47 made to engage the groove in the outer edge or periphery of.

the cam 5, as will be obvious without further explanation.

The thread-carrier frames are each provided with a handle, as at 54, to facilitate any motion of the thread-carrier frame that the operator may at any time desire to effect.

The inner side of the upper frame-section 41 is rectilinear, and the thread-carrier 6 moves back and forth beside the same to lay the cord or thread in recrossing spirals running alternately in opposite directions from end to end of a cop-tube mounted upon the spindle. The cop-tube may be secured to the spindle in any suitable manner; but,as shown, I provide the spindle with a groove 55, Fig. 7, and arrange therein a spring-plate 56, somewhat how-shaped, so that normally it will pro- If cylindrical balls or ject out beyond the periphery of the spindle, but is susceptible of being pressed inward by forcing a cop-tube upon the spindle in such manner that the frictional contact of the spring-plate with the interior of the cop-tube will firmly hold the latter in proper position to wind a ball or cop. If the balls or cops desired are to be conoidal-shaped, it is advisable to employ correspondingly-shaped cop-tubes, which can be applied to conoidal-shaped metal or other sleeves having cylindrical bores adapted to be slipped upon the spindles and be held by the bowed spring-plates in the same manner as though a cylindrical cop-tube were forced upon the spindle, as first above explained.

The compressible spring-plate made somewhat how-shaped, as set forth, is a desirable device for securing cop-tubes, in that it avoids the necessity of screwing the cop-tube into engagement with the screw-threaded part of the spindle as heretofore and enables the coptubes to be more rapidly applied to and moved from the spindle.

The longitudinal cam and driving shafts are operated from the head of the machine, which is that end of the machine where the fast and loose pulleys are applied to the driviug-shaft, as before described. The spindles are all driven. at the same speed through the medium of the spur-gears 13, pinions 10, and clutches before set forth; but the speed of the cam-shaft is susceptible of being varied through the medium of a differential or epicycle train of gearing comprising interchangeable gears of varying diameter or size, which I will now proceed to explain in detail. The driving-shaft 8 is provided with an attached gear-wheel 57, meshing into asimilar gearwheel 58, loosely mounted on the cam-shaft 4 and rigidly connected to or formed integral at one side with a beveled gear 59, meshing into two oppositely-arranged bevel-gears and 61 of the same size, which in turn mesh into a bevel-gear 62 of the same diameter as the bevel-gear 59 and rigidly secured to the camshaft 4. The journal-bearings for the smaller bevel-gears 60 and 61 are provided on a stud or bracket 63, bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the web of a comparatively large differential gear 64, suitably constructed for the passage therethrough of the smaller bevel-gears 60 and 61 in such manner that these gears properly mesh into the bevel-gears 59 and 62, located at oppositesides of the differential gear. The differential gear meshes into the pinion 65, formed integral with or rigidly secured to a bevel-gear 66, mounted on a short shaft 67 and engaging the bevel-gear 68 on the lower end of a perpendicular worm gear or wheel shaft 69,

carrying at its upper end one of the interchangeable worm gears or wheels 70, 71, and 72, (represented in Fig. 5,) one of such gears being indicated by dotted lines. The interchangeable gears or wheels are of different diameter or size, and whichever one is ICC and-forth motions.

mounted upon the worm-shaft 69 operatively engages a Worm 73, Fig. 4, rigidly secured to the driving-shaft 8. The worm-wheel shaft 69 is mounted in suitable bearings on a vertical supporting frame or plate 74, Figs. 2 and 4:, which is susceptible of adjustment relatively to the driving-shaft to enable the interchangeable gears to be employed and to properly engage with the worm 73. The frame or support of the worm-wheel shaft may be adjusted through the medium of any suitable devices; but as, here shown the frame or sup port is mounted at its lower end on the short shaft 67 and is provided at its upper end with a slotted arm 75, through which passes a bolt 76, by which the frame may be adjusted, as will beobvious. The interchangeable wormwheels serve to rotate the differential gear 6% at varying speeds, and through the medium of the differential or epicycle train above set forth the speed of rotation of the cam-shaft may be varied to suit the conditions required where fine or coarse thread is to be wound into balls or cops. A change in the speed of the cam-shaft correspondingly changes the speed of the thread-carriers in their back- If a fine thread is being wound, the thread-carriers should be made to move comparatively slow, whereas if a coarse thread is being wound the thread-carriers should be made to move comparatively fast to avoid the thread spirals piling upon each other. The variation in the speed of the camshaft also varies the distance apart of the spirals of thread during the winding operation. If the speed of the cam-shaft and the threadcarriers is comparatively fast, the spirals of thread will be comparatively wide apart, whereas if the speed of the cam-shaft and the thread-carriers is comparatively slow the spirals of thread will be comparatively close together. According to the character or size of the cord or thread the speed of the differential gear 64 requires to be comparatively fast or slow. If a fine thread is to be wound, the differential gear must be slo'wly rotated, which is efiected by mounting a comparatively large worm gear or wheel on the worm gear or wheel shaft 69; but if a coarse thread is to be wound the differential gear must be rotated faster, and this is effected by mounting a smaller worm gear or wheel on the worm gear or wheel shaft.

The rotation of the driving-shaft 8 imparts motion to the differential or epicycle train through the medium of the gear-wheels 57 and 58, while the worm 73 imparts motion to the worm-wheel, and this motion,which can be varied by the interchangeable worm-gears, is transmitted to the differential gear 64 through the medium of the bevel-gears 68 and 66 and the pinion 65. The principle of operation of the gears 50, (30, 61, 62, and 64. is like or similar to the gearing of the Well-known equational box; but the organization of parts according to my invention secures the new and useful result of regulating the speed of the cam-shaft and of the reciprocatory threadcarriers, whereby fine or coarse thread can be accurately wound int-o balls or cops, and the thread spirals are laid with exactness during the winding operation at a greater or less distance apart.

The interchangeable worm-gears can be readily applied to and removed from the worm-shaft through the medium of any suitable means Which will enable them to be fixed rigid on the shaft when applied thereto. A simple means for this purpose consists in providing the worm-gear with projecting hubs, as at 77, each having a transverse hole to register with a similar hole in the upper end of the worm gear or wheel shaft for the reception of a removable pin, by which the worm gear or wheel is pinned to the shaft.

The thread to be wound is led from the bobbins or swifts through tension devices 78, mounted on the main frame at the front of the machine in proper relative position, respectively, to the thread carriers and spindies.

The thread-carriers are shaped at their upper ends, as usual, so that they will automatically pick up the thread during their traversing motion. Inasmuch as each threadcarrier is constantly pressed by the weights 45 toward the ball or cop during the winding operation, if any irregularities were present in the surface of the samefor example, a depression-the thread-carrier on reaching the same would move in a direction toward the winding-spindle, and this might result in the formation of balls or cops with irregular or uneven surfaces. To prevent this, I provide simple means for controlling the threadcarrier and insuring its travel in right lines back and forth as the diameter of the ball or cop increases and during the time that the thread-carrier is being gradually forced outward or away from the spindle, whereby the balls. or cops will possess regular and uniform surfaces, which is very desirable. The means for accomplishing this end consist in. a series of what I term lock-levers 79, each pivoted, as at 80, to a bracket or support 81, mounted on the frame parts 27 of the pillars 7, which rise from the main frame, as before stated. These levers are pivoted intermediate their extremt ties, and their front end portions, which carry the handles 82, overbalance their rear end por tions. The levers are each constructed with a depending tapering finger 83, (best seen in Fig. 3,) which normally projects between one of the winding-spindles and the thread-carrier frame appropriate to such spindle. The finger is made tapering by striking its front edge on a circle, designed to act against the inner side of one end of the thread-carrier frame. At the beginning of the winding operation the thread-carrier will lie in juxtaposition to the cop-tube on the winding-spindle and the pointed extremity of the finger will rest against the inner side of one end of the thread-carrier frame. As the thread-carrier is forced outward or away from the Winding spindle, due to the increasing diameter of the ball or cop, the lock-lever will gradually descend by gravity and the curved front edge of its depending finger will bear against the thread-carrier frame in such manner as to positively prevent such frame movingtoward the winding-spindle, in consequence of which the thread-carrier is controlled and compelled to travel back and forth in right lines, thereby insuring the regular and uniform laying of the thread, with the result that balls or cops with nicely-finished surfaces are obtained.

The lock-levers are each constructed with an offsetting abutment 84, located between the tapering finger 83 and the front end or handle portion of the lever. This offsetting abutment is designed to be placed in rear of one end of the upper section of a thread-carrier to lock the latter at a distance from the spindle for the purpose of holding the threadcarrier clear out of the way during the time that a cop-tube is being placed on the spindle or when the completed ball or cop is being removed. When a thread-carrier frame 42 is drawn in a direction away from the ball or cop and is held by the abutment 84; of a looklever '79, it is impossible for the spindle to be started during the time a ball or cop is being removed therefrom, which is desirable in that the attendants hand might be injured by an accidental starting of the spindle. The starting of the spindle is prevented by reason of v the fact that when the abutment of the locklever engages the thread-carrier frame a solid part of the lock-lever lies in the path of the rod 33 and offers an obstruction to the movement of the latter toward the left, and therefore the clutch-lever 25 cannot be accidentally forced to the left sufficiently far to throw into action either of the clutches.

The positive clutch is important for that it serves to positively drive the spindle and causes the relative speeds of the cams and spindles to be, the same through the winding of a ball or cop. When winding from revolving bobbinsand swifts instead of from cones, as all such winding is now done, and wheneverit is desirable to start the spindle gradually, the thread will be laid irregularly until the positive clutch commences to act; but this irregular winding only lasts a few seconds while the spindle is being started and then the ball or cop resumes its regular wind. When winding from cones, it is advisable to throw the positive clutch into action suddenly,

except when winding very large cops.

The diameters of the spur-gear 13 and pinion 10 determine the number of revolutions that a spindle makes during one traversing movement of the thread-carrier, and the diameters may be varied to suit the conditions required.

In my improved machine the setting of the proper one of the interchangeable wormgears regulates the lay of the thread about every spindle, which is a very important feature in that it avoids the independent or separate regulation of the laying of the cord or thread at and about each spindle.

The spindles are driven positively by gear wheels and pinions, and no belting is employed unless a belt is used to rotate the driving-shaft. The employment of belting for driving the spindles is objectionable in that it stretches and slips, it is necessary to frequently tighten the same, the spindles are not driven with certainty, and the belting, pulleys, and spindles rapidly wear, which necessitates frequent repairs.

In my improved machine any spindle can be stopped while all the others continue to rotate, which of itself is a desirable and important improvement.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combination with a spindle, and areciprocatory threadcarrier, of a driving-shaft having a spur-gear, a pinion on the spindle driven by the spur-gear, means for throwing the pinion into and out of operative connection with the spindle, a cam-shaft for actuating the thread-carrier, and differential gearing arranged in operative connection with the said driving-shaft and comprising a plurality of interchangeable gears located between the driving-shaft and cam-shaft and constructed and operating to'vary the speed of the cam-shaft and thread-carrier to regulate the lay of the thread, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination with aplurality of spindles arranged substantially in alinement and each having a pinion, and a reciprocatory thread-carrier for each spindle, of a continu ous driving-shaft having a series of spurgears respectively driving the pinions, a'continuous camshaft having a series of cams which respectively operate the thread-carriers, and differential gearing arranged in operative connection with the driving and cam shafts and comprising interchangeable gears for varying the speed of the cam-shaft and thread-carriers to regulate the lay of the thread, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. The combination with a plurality of spindles arranged substantially in alinement, and each having a loose pinion, a reciprocatory thread-carrier for each spindle, a continuous driving-shaft having a series of spurgears respectively driving the pinions of the spindles, means for independently throwing the pinions into and out of operative connection with the spindles, a continuous camshaft having a series of cams for respectively operating the thread-carriers, and differential gearing arranged in operative connection with the driving and cam shafts and comprising interchangeable gears for varying the speed of the cam-shaft and all of the threadcarriers, substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. The combination, in a thread-winding IIO machine, of a plurality of winding-spindles,

each having a pinion, spur-gears respectively driving said pinions, a driving-shaft for imparting motion to the spur-gears, a plurality of reciprocatory thread-carriers, cams for reciprocating the thread-carriers, and differential gearing comprising interchangeable gears for varying the speed of the cams and the thread-carriers, substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. The combination with aspindle, and a reciprocatory thread-carrier, of a driving-shaft, means for driving the spindle from the drivingshaft, a cam shaft for actuating the th read-carrier,and differential gearing mounted on the cam-shaft, and operated from two different parts of the driving-shaft, one of said parts comprising a worm on the driving-shaf t and a worm-gear engaging the worm, substantially as and for the purposes described.

0. The combination with the windingspindle of a thread-winding machine, a movable thread-carrier, and means for rotating said spindle, of a friction-clutch for gradually starting the spindle and a positive clutch for positively rotating the spindle and'maintaining it at the speed required, a clutch-lever for throwing the two clutches into action in succession, means for locking the lever when fully adjusted to throw the positive clutch into action, a device operated by a part of the threadcarrier to automatically unlock said lever, and a spring operating to throw the lever when unlocked, in the direction to throw the two clutches out of action, substantially as and for the purposes described.

7. The combination with the winding-spindle of a thread-winding machine, of a pinion loose on the spindle, a driving-shaft having a spur-gear for driving said pinion, a frictiondisk loose on the spindle beside the pinion and rigid therewith, a reciprocatory threadcarrier, means for operating the thread-carrier, friction-clutch shoes to act on the friction-clutch disk, a positive clutch to act on the friction-clutch disk, said clutches operating first to gradually start the spindle and subsequently to positively rotate the spindle and maintain it at the speed required, a lever, and devices actuated by the lever to successively operate first the friction-clutchshoes which engage the friction clutch disk and then the positive clutch which engages said disk, substantially as and for the purposes described.

8. The combination With a plurality of spindles arranged substantially in alinement, and a reciprocatory thread-carrier for each spindle, of a driving-shaft having a worm-gear, spur-gears and pinions for driving all the spindles, a camshaft having cams for actuating the thread-carriers, and differential gearing mounted on the cam-shaft and operated from two different parts of the driving-shaft, one of said parts being the worm-gear on the each having a pinion, spur-gears respectively driving said pinions, a driving-shaft for imparting motion to the spur-gears, a plurality of reciproeatory thread-carriers, a cam-shaft having cams for reciprocating the thread-carriers, and differential gearing arranged in operative connection with the driving and the cam shafts and comprising a worm on the drivin g-shaft, an adjustable wornrgear shaft, and a worm-gear carried by said adjustable shaft and engaging said worm, substantially as and for the purposes described.

10. The combination with the winding-spindle of a thread-winding machine, of a threadcarrierframe,a section provided with a thread carrier and adjustable upon said thread-carrier frame to any required angle relative to the axis of the winding-spindle, means for holding the said section in the position to which adjusted on said thread-carrier frame, and means for operating the thread-carrier, substan tially as and for the purpose described.

11. The combination with a winding-spindle, and means for rotating the same, of an oscillating or rocking thread-carrier frame having its upper section provided with a reciprocatory thread-carrier and adjustable at any required angle to the axis of the windin g-spindle for winding conoidal-shaped cops, means for angularly adjusting the upper section of the thread-carrier frame, and means for operating the thread-carrier, substantially as and for the purposes described.

12. The combination with a winding-spindle, and means for rotating the same, of an oscillating or rocking thread-carrier frame having an angularly-adjustable upper section, a guide-rod carried by the said angularly-adjustable section, a traveler -or sleeve movable on the guide-rod and provided with a thread-carrier, a cam-shaft having a cam, and a device operated by the cam to impart a reciprocatory motion to the said traveler or sleeve, substantially as and for the purposes described. a

13. The combination with a winding-spindle, an oscillatory thread-carrier frame, and a reciprocatory thread-carrier movable on the latter, of a tapering finger constructed to pass between a part of the thread'carrier frame and the winding-spindle for positively holding the thread-carrier frame from movement toward the ball or cop during the winding operation, substantially as and for the pur* poses described.

14:. The combination with a winding-spindle, an oscillatory thread-carrier frame, and a reciprocatory thread-carrier movable on the thread-carrier frame, of a lever having a pendent finger constructed to gravitate between the winding-spindle and the thread-carrier frame to hold the latter from moving toward the spindle during the winding operation, substantially as and for the purposes described.

15. The combination with a winding-spindle and a movable thread-carrier, of a friction-clutch disk loose thereupon, means for driving said disk, a sleeve slidable on the spindle and having a conoidal or tapering portion and means to engage and positively drive the friction-clutch disk, radial arms rigidly connected with the spindle, arms pivoted t0 the radial arms and provided at one end with clutch-shoes to engage the periphery of the clutch-disk and at the other end constructed to be acted upon by the conoidal or tapering portion of the sleeve, a clutch-lever for sliding the sleeve back and forth, means for locking the lever when adjusted to throw the clutch into action, a device operated by a part of the thread-carrier for unlocking the lever when the cop reaches the desired diameter, and a spring for throwing the lever, when unlocked, in the direction required to throw the clutch out of action, substantially as and for the purposes described.

16. The combination with a winding-spindle, an oscillatory or rocking thread-carrier frame, and a reciprocatory thread carrier movable on the thread-carrier frame, of a lock-lever constructed with a pendent finger designed to gravitate between the spindle and the thread-carrier frame, to hold the latter from moving toward the spindle during the winding operation, and with an abutment or offset to engage and lock the thread-carrier frame at a distance away from the spindle, substantially as and for the purposes described. I

17. The combination with a spindle, and a movable thread-carrier, of a driving-shaft which drives the spindle, a cam-shaft for actuating the thread-carrier, and differential gearing operatively connecting the said driving and cam shafts at two diflferent and distinct points and comprising a plurality of interchangeable gears actuated by the drivingshaft at one point for varying the speed of the cam-shaft and of the thread-carrier to regulate the lay .of the thread, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN F. SOHENOK. Vitnesses:

W. L. PACKARD,

A. F. NEWTON. 

